Sigma 50mm F/2 DG DN Contemporary

There is still much to be said for the 50mm standard lens, with its compact form factor, low light capability and ability to render the world in much the same way as the human eye. Even the dedicated zoom user, and there is no denying the convenience of the zoom lens, can enjoy the relative freedom of shooting with a high-quality prime. With the 50mm, we zoom by walking, which motivates the changing of perspective and can be a liberating experience.

This lens will not disappoint, having very high-quality results in a light and compact form factor and at a realistic price level. The conclusion is that the lens can be ‘Highly Recommended’.

Sigma 17mm F/4 DG DN Contemporary

There is much to like about this compact ultra-wide lens and the icing on the cake is the high quality of the results. It handles beautifully and performs beautifully, all at a reasonable price.

There are some design points where this reviewer would have made different decisions. The magnetic lens cap could be ditched and a locking button could usefully be added to the aperture ring, but these are not insurmountable and are certainly not deal breakers.

17mm is wide enough to make for some very interesting perspectives, and this is aided by the very close focus. Architecture, landscape, street, documentary and vlogging all happily lie within the scope of this lens. For all these reasons it earns the accolade of Highly Recommended.

Sigma 23mm F/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

If the photographer is looking for a light and fairly compact travel prime lens, perhaps a classic street lens or just a versatile focal length that enables travelling light, then this could well be worthy of serious consideration. The sharpness is excellent throughout and although some of the other technical aspects such as distortion, CA and vignetting may need some additional software correction, it is unlikely to disappoint those who like crisp images. Full weather resistance would be good, as possibly would inbuilt OIS, but all of these things add bulk, complexity and cost, and at least many of the camera bodies include SteadyShot.

Handling is good, the lens is an unobtrusive companion and is likely to be light and compact enough to take anywhere. It can happily be recommended.

Sigma AF 50mm F/1.4 DG DN Art

The high-priced, high-performance 50mm f/1.4 lenses are in a class of their own in terms of performance and their intent to be the best lenses that they possibly can be. This aspiration comes at a price, sometimes a very high price tag indeed, but for those who want a lens that excels then they are all worthy of serious consideration.

The Sigma AF 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens is firmly in this group, and the Art lenses as a whole are aspiring to be the best lenses they possibly can be. Sigma’s new lens is one that they feel justifiably proud of, and it comes ‘Highly Recommended’.

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports

The lens that will cover sports, wildlife, even some portraiture and fashion and with the ability to serve as a long-range semi-macro lens at 200mm, has to be something that is highly desirable. Add to that excellent handling and a stellar optical performance and even the relatively high price starts to look less daunting. Maybe because of the cost it is not the go-to lens for the casual wildlife or sports shooter, but for the enthusiast who spends the weekends freezing in hides or roaming wetlands, maybe the enthusiast who routinely visits the motor racing circuits, for the professional looking for the way quality is maintained even at full zoom, for all these then the money spent once on the right lens is, in the long term, better value than multiple purchases because of some dissatisfaction.

For all these reasons, this is the one that gains the accolade of ‘Editor’s Choice’.

Sigma 20mm F/1.4 DG DN Art

There are some terrific ultra-wide primes around, and the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens is definitely up there with the best. It’s true that 20mm is quite wide and does need some thought to get the best out of the composition, but it is a matter of practice and confidence, of moving in close, and closer. Once the feel of this clicks into place, then what a powerful lens it becomes. Sweeping vistas, close-ups with the unusual perspective of that close viewpoint, and everything in focus from near to far….are just some of the possibilities. Confident street photography will immerse us in the action, quite different from standing back with a long lens and becoming a distant observer. Environmental portraits can include the details of a working environment, perhaps an artist in a studio with their work surrounding them. Architecture is another obvious choice, especially wide interiors and dramatic staircases.

With such potential, delivered with impeccable quality, the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens is a definite ‘Editor’s Choice’.

Sigma 24mm F/1.4 DG DN Art

The 24mm lens is a terrific lens in use and is capable of really dramatic results if used well. We need to get in close to our subject to gain the benefits of the drama of such lenses, although the other side of the coin is that interiors and architectural subjects can be shot so that the whole subject can be included. Reportage and street photography are other areas where such lenses can excel.

The Sigma is well made, delivers high quality and handles beautifully, so is high on the list of possibilities if we are looking for a high-quality full-frame 24mm lens, and is Highly Recommended.

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN

Great value for money, incredibly even performance across the whole focal length range, lovely bokeh and fantastic handling just about sum up this attractive and useful lens. Along with its 16-28mm sibling, they make a great pair to travel light with. It’s not perfection though, and distortion and CA may need some correction in the camera or in software for some subjects. The lack of weather sealing is also a shame, although we can recognise that to include it would increase the price and quite possibly the bulk of the lens. It could be done though.

Going with the very smooth bokeh, the lens also exhibits that other sort of quality that we seek, that is the undefinable something that makes one lens a keeper and another not. This one looks like a keeper and it could be a trusted go-to lens that stays on the camera for much of the time.

In conclusion, ‘Highly Recommended’.

Sigma 16-28mm F/2.8 DG DN

Taking the lens in isolation, it is terrific value for money, performs well, is compact and light and also delivers very attractive images, never mind the technical figures, good as they may be. Ultimately, it is what the images look like that counts and this is a lens that can be worked with to produce some lovely-looking pictures. This pitches it very well into the landscape and travel definition, although it can obviously be used for many more subjects. It doesn’t have weather sealing, apart from the mount, which is a pity, and it has very obvious vignetting. It is not ideal for close-ups of flat subjects, as we can see from the text sample images. However, it is superb for general-purpose shooting and could be the ideal companion when travelling light. What optical imperfections there are can be addressed in camera or in software, or worked with to produce attractive, creative shots.

In conclusion, ‘Highly Recommended’.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary

The options have been sensibly and significantly increased by this new f/2.8 lens. Given that depth of field is greater on APS-C format it is a step towards being able to render backgrounds out of focus, a definite boon for portraiture in particular. It is a simple to use lens, with no controls other than zooming and focusing, so nothing to interfere with the creative process. This is a perfect travel lens, compact, light and with superb quality.

It may well be that the in-camera corrections should be switched on, unless the excessive amounts of distortion are actually wanted for creative reasons. This is a point of course where the design of a lens becomes ever more a design of a lens integrated with some corrections being made in the camera body. The merits or otherwise of this approach could be an interesting debate.

However, to summarise this very fine lens, it’s the right price, the right handling and the right performance, so is, therefore, ‘Highly Recommended’.

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport

A combination of fast operation and AF and very good quality results has resulted in a beautiful lens. It is heavy, but manageable, is very easy to use and it locks on to the subject virtually every time. The OS system is effective and fulfils the claimed 4 stops advantage with no problem, and at longer focal lengths in particular this is a huge benefit. The price is also very reasonable, so overall it is a very attractive package.

Well worth serious consideration for wildlife and sports photographers in particular and Highly Recommended.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

If we want sharpness and clean, clear shots with no obvious CA and the ability to shoot into the light without flare spoiling the shot, then this lens fulfils those criteria very comfortably. It handles smoothly, it’s well made, the price is right. There are some design quirks as mentioned in the text, but these are really niggles and probably not deal breakers. A bit more attention to the detail of ergonomics would solve that problem at the design stage. The bokeh does let the side down slightly, but that very much depends on the subject matter.

The Sigma 35mm F/1.4 DG DN Art is a lovely lens to use, delivers the goods and is well worth the reasonable asking price.

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary

All the things I concluded regarding the 35mm equally apply here: Leave the magnetic lens cap in the box, put in a depth of field scale, add a lock on the aperture A setting and put in a switch to de-click the aperture ring. Then equalise the filter size across the I range and we have one brilliant lens in every respect.

If anything, the 65mm is actually a whisker ahead of the 35mm in the quality stakes, but we are playing with just slight variations in the degree of excellence. Regardless of whatever improvements might be made in design terms, the lens is a shining example of the modern lens makers’ art and in terms of performance will satisfy the most critical requirements. Highly recommended.

Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary

Make no mistake, this is a beautiful lens that has a really strong performance. Unusually, the logic applied to the design of the optics seems to have fallen slightly less comfortably when we look at some of the minor, niggling, more general design issues.

I would ditch the magnetic lens cap, put in a depth of field scale, add a lock on the aperture A setting and put in a switch to de-click the aperture ring. Then equalise the filter size across the I range and we have one brilliant lens in every respect.

It’s very close to ideal anyway and with its all-metal construction and very fine optical performance (albeit with in-camera corrections switched on if necessary), I don’t have any hesitation in giving the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary the accolade of Highly Recommended.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

The 85mm lens has always been a firm favourite for portraits, close-range sports, night shooting and landscapes in particular. Lenses have been fast, with bright f/1.4 apertures, and optical performance is often the peak point for any given manufacturer’s range. Sigma intends its Art range to be at the top of the tree and they undoubtedly succeed. Even where results dip, such as the amount of pincushion distortion and the slightly weaker sharpness at the edges at f/1.4, these things can be addressed in software or taken advantage of. For example, portraits at open aperture have delightful vignetting that is ready-made to enhance the sharpness of the central area by concentrating our eyes on the main subject.

The price is not the lowest, but the overall package is very, very attractive and pitched at a very fair level. Sigma is clearly at the top of their game with their range of Art lenses. Highly Recommended.

Sigma AF 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

There is a lot to love about a fine 28mm lens that has such a fast, bright maximum aperture, for all sorts of shooting applications. The Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens handles well, focuses precisely and produces superb results. The price seems to fairly reflect the quality that is on offer, and what is on offer is a very desirable lens that could well become a favourite for many wide-angle photographers.

An Editor’s Choice award for another fine example of the lens makers’ art.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sport

There are quite a few 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, none of them exactly cheap. For those who want a lower cost or a lighter lens, there are the f/4 versions, but many photographers will seek the reduced depth of field that a fast, bright f/2.8 aperture has to offer.

In terms of quality, we rarely see a zoom lens that offers such an evenly fantastic performance as this new Sigma, and at a basically very reasonable price. Without a doubt, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM S is a lens of choice, and therefore, without doubt, is awarded an Editor’s Choice.

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN | C

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C offers a fantastic performance, superb sharpness in particular, and a reasonable price tag. All round, a very satisfactory and desirable lens. A slight downside is the fiddly nature of some of the mirrorless cameras, with many functions tucked away in menus as opposed to dedicated switches and dials. This is not the fault of the lens though, which handles totally smoothly.

But in terms of a fast, short telephoto that is unobtrusive, works efficiently and delivers superb results the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C is absolutely an Editor’s Choice.

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art

Sigma has provided a well-made, solid macro lens that delivers very impressive image quality. It operates flawlessly, albeit it with slightly slower than average AF, but proves excellent overall.

In summary, the Sigma lens offers all the right things in terms of handling and quality and is well worth considering as an alternative to the more common focal lengths.

Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

The Sigma AF 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens gives an excellent performance, a reasonable price and a very bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, which all add up to a very desirable package, that will be appealing for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount photographers.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art

This is a very attractive proposition for full frame users. A reasonable cost, a sound general performance, gorgeous bokeh and the potential for portrait shooting, low distortion, in fact, a variety of positive aspects that make for a quality end result. It’s a pity the weather resistance isn’t a bit stronger and the weaker performance at 70mm will not suit everyone, but even this may well delight others as the portrait and perhaps flower study potential is very real. Overall, recommended.

Sigma AF 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

Very long lenses have always been more expensive, with the affordable telephotos ending around 300mm. That extra 400mm is very valuable for wildlife and sports and we have here from Sigma such a lens, but one that is much more reasonably priced.

The features cost is in lens speed, so cameras with good high ISO performance are the order of the day. Other advantages are a more compact and lighter optic, still quite large but nowhere near the bulk of some of the alternatives.

Performance is sound, giving excellent sharpness and lovely bokeh at an excellent price.

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a really sharp lens, with excellent handling and beautiful bokeh, which makes a powerful mix. Although many photographers have felt that 135mm was slightly too long for a short portrait telephoto, perhaps looking at 100mm instead, with this Sigma the close focusing seems to be a game changer. Whereas the 135mm often stopped short at 4 feet or so, at just over 3 feet this new lens makes the tight head shot absolutely possible and probably tips the balance. Coupled with a truly splendid performance, Sigma has a winner, without a doubt.